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Epstein-Barr Virus infection

Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (human gammaherpesvirus 4)

Infection with a very common herpesvirus that can cause infectious mononucleosis and then persists silently for life.

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION IDENTIFIEREpstein-Barr virus infectionView source record ↗

Overview

EXPLORE BY LEVEL

Epstein-Barr is so common that most adults have had it. It can cause mono, especially in teens and young adults, and then stays inactive in the body.

Quick Facts

AT A GLANCE
CauseEpstein-Barr virus
CDC-described serologyVCA IgM, VCA IgG, early antigen (EA), EBNA

Follow the Connections

See how Epstein-Barr Virus infection links to other biological records.

Open network
OrganismEpstein-Barr viruscaused byBiomarkerEBV IgA antibody (antigen unspecified)marker for
All 2 Structured Connections
Epstein-Barr Virus infection · DiseaseCAUSED BY →Epstein-Barr virus · Organism
EBV IgA antibody (antigen unspecified) · BiomarkerMARKER FOR →Epstein-Barr Virus infection · Disease

Recommended Reading

Trusted references for learning more about Epstein-Barr Virus infection.

guideAbout Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guideLaboratory Testing for Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention databaseHuman gammaherpesvirus 4 (Epstein-Barr virus; taxon 10376)NCBI Datasets Taxonomy Browser
Research Claims

CDC describes susceptibility as absence of VCA antibodies, primary infection as VCA IgM without EBNA antibody, and past infection as antibodies to both VCA and EBNA. Elevated antibody levels alone are not enough to diagnose recent infection.

EBV serology is interpreted by antigen and antibody class. BASE records an EBV IgA test from its source list without assigning an antigen, because none was specified; CDC's laboratory interpretation guide describes VCA, EA, and EBNA antibodies.